A client has sustained a crush injury to the abdomen as the result of an industrial accident. The initial assessment and interventions have been carried out. The vital signs are stable and the family is at the bedside. The client is complaining of bilateral flank pain. What is the priority nursing action for this client now?

Prepare for immediate abdominal surgery

Determine if there are any allergies to food or drugs

Administer antibiotics as ordered after culture results are available

Obtain a urine specimen

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is D

A. Prepare for immediate abdominal surgery
There is no indication of active hemorrhage or peritonitis at this point. Further assessment is needed before deciding on surgery.

B. Determine if there are any allergies to food or drugs
Allergy history is important, but it is not the immediate priority for this client.

C. Administer antibiotics as ordered after culture results are available
Antibiotics may be needed if infection is suspected, but the priority is assessing kidney function due to the risk of rhabdomyolysis from muscle breakdown.

D. Obtain a urine specimen
Flank pain after a crush injury suggests possible rhabdomyolysis or kidney damage. The urine should be tested for myoglobinuria (tea-colored urine), hematuria, or kidney injury markers.

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Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A. Immediate removal of the cause of obstruction.

Cardiac tamponade is a life-threatening condition caused by fluid accumulation in the pericardium, which compresses the heart. The definitive treatment is pericardiocentesis to remove the fluid and relieve the obstruction.

B. Patient will be admitted for a cardiac catheterization.

While catheterization may be performed later for underlying cardiac disease, tamponade requires urgent intervention, not just admission.

C. Administering furosemide for its diuretic effects.

Diuretics reduce preload, which can worsen hypotension in tamponade by further decreasing cardiac output.

D. Withholding IV fluids due to fluid overload.

IV fluids may be used to maintain preload while waiting for pericardiocentesis. The issue is not volume overload but rather mechanical obstruction.

A. Notify the physician and anticipate the need for endotracheal intubation B. Place the client in semi-fowler's position and administer albuterol breathing treatment C. Encourage the client to cough, take deep breaths, and then auscultate again D. Recommend a medical prescription for guaifenesin and encourage use of incentive spirometry

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A. Notify the physician and anticipate the need for endotracheal intubation
The client is showing progressive airway obstruction due to inhalation injury. The absence of wheezes indicates impending respiratory failure, requiring immediate airway management.

B. Place the client in semi-Fowler's position and administer an albuterol breathing treatment
Albuterol may help bronchospasm, but this client's issue is upper airway swelling, not bronchospasm. Intubation is the priority.

C. Encourage the client to cough, take deep breaths, and then auscultate again
The loss of wheezes suggests airway swelling has worsened, not that secretions are the issue. Immediate intervention is needed.

D. Recommend a medical prescription for guaifenesin and encourage use of incentive spirometry
Guaifenesin and incentive spirometry help with secretion clearance, but they are not the priority in this emergent airway situation.

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Explanation

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

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